Israeli soldiers handed, on Sunday, several residents of Beit Jala city, near Bethlehem, military orders informing them that the military intends to annex vast areas of farmlands near the city.The Popular Committee for Land Defense in Bethlehem reported that the orders include annexing nine Dunams of farmland in one area, and 170 Dunams close to settlement road number 60, near the city.
The Committee demanded the Palestinian negotiators to submit the issue of land grab and settlement expansion to the International Court of Justice in the Hague.
Also, the Committee added that these orders violate the signed agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
It is worth mentioning that after Israel completes the construction of the annexation wall in the area, residents of Beit Jala will be totally separated from their orchards.